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My 96 year old Mother was sorting through her old papers and photographs after my Dad died recently. She found a receipt from Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, dated May 21 to June 1, 1940, and another one from her doctor’s office.

“Look what you cost us - over a month’s salary!”, she said. She handed me the two receipts from the hospital in Edmonton covering charges for my birth - their first child. This was before Canada had universal medical so all medical costs had to be paid by the patients and this was quite a burden in those post-depression days.

My Mom could only go once to a doctor during her pregnancy as her doctor went away to war and no replacement was found. A cost factor was also involved, as a visit to the doctor was very expensive. The morning my Mom’s labour pains started she had to wait until late afternoon to start the trip into Edmonton as my Dad was a teacher and he had to wait until all the pupils left before he could leave and lock up the school!

It was about a two hour drive from their farming community of Bruderheim but they were fortunate to have their old model T Ford to drive. Upon arrival at the hospital, another Dr. was found to aid my Mom in the delivery of the baby, and all went smoothly.

Hospital stays for a birth were much longer then. Mom stayed in for 11 days and then went to her parents’ house for a few days of further rest and care. I was a “normal” birth and a 6 lb. 5 oz. healthy baby!

The bill from the hospital was for $33.20, paid by cash of $17.50 and a cheque for $15.70. On top of this the doctor’s charges were $25.00. This was a hefty bill as my Dad’s salary was only $50 a month.

Finding and reading this bill makes me appreciate our publicly funded health care system in Canada. We don’t have to worry about, plan for, or pay for our basic medical needs. Our Care Card gives one and all the same level of care, regardless of our income.

It was not the same in the early years in Canada as the bill for my birth reminded me. It wasn’t until 1946 that the Saskatchewan government, led by Tommy Douglas, introduced the first provincial insurance program in Canada. Further developments followed until Medicare expanded to what we have today.

Looking at this bill makes me picture in my mind my Dad and Mom in their early married years taking their new baby girl home from the hospital. That is a pleasant, happy thought for me!

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